Secretary of State (England)

England
Secretary of State
Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of England from 1603 to 1649
Member ofPrivy Council
SeatWestminster, London
AppointerThe English Monarch
Term lengthNo fixed term
Formation1253–1645
First holderJohn Maunsell
Final holderGeorge Digby, 2nd Earl of Bristol
Richard Foxe, King's Secretary
1485 to 1487

In the Kingdom of England, the title of Secretary of State came into being near the end of the reign of Elizabeth I, the usual title before that having been King's Clerk, King's Secretary, or Principal Secretary.

From the time of Henry VIII, there were usually two secretaries of state. After the restoration of the monarchy of 1660, the two posts were specifically designated as the Secretary of State for the Northern Department and the Secretary of State for the Southern Department. Both dealt with home affairs and they divided foreign affairs between them.